But the charity makes a concentrated effort to raise awareness during National Eye Health Week, which was started in 2009 by Vision Matters and now is an annual event.

Charities, organisations and health professionals working in the sight loss sector join together to raise awareness of eye health and the importance of having regular eye tests, therefore prevent avoidable sight loss.

During the week, Galloway’s has been at Royal Preston Hospital and Royal Lancaster Hospital to give out information and offer demonstrations; attended a health mela at All Seasons Leisure Centre, Chorley; sent out information packs to businesses at North Lancs Expo Lancaster Brewery; given eye tests to police officers and visited schools.

Galloway’s has also hosted blind climbing sessions at West View Leisure Centre and blind karaoke at freshers fairs at UCLan and Lancaster University.

Galloway's asking Students to try Karaoke but wearing sim specs which simulate the effects of some of the more common eye conditions

Claire Warner, head of fund-raising, said: “National Eye Health Week has been fantastic. We have had so much interaction.

“I was amazed to speak with at least four visually impaired students who were starting their first year.

“We were there to promote eye health and how much sight loss can be avoidable and didn’t expect to come across anyone who was visually impaired. But it was great to reach out to them and be able to offer support. We spoke to them about accessing audio textbooks and materials for their courses.

“We had a great response from students who enjoyed our blind karaoke - we even had 300 people sign up to be elves for our Santa’s Grotto at St George’s Centre in November and December.”

Photo Neil Cross Galloway's encouraging people to climb blindfolded at West View

Offering support for more than 150 years

Galloway’s is one of Lancashire’s oldest charities.

Established in Preston in 1867, it has been supporting people living with sight loss for more than 150 years.

Today, the charity covers Lancashire and Sefton and supports more than 7,000 people every year.

As well as its main site in Penwortham, Galloway’s is located in 1 Farrington Street, Chorley; 12 Victoria Street, Morecambe, and 22 Wright Street, Southport.

The services offered are in seven key areas:

• Early reach support for newly diagnosed people

• Accessible information, advice and guidance

• Holidays and trips

• Social and community groups

• Audio services, including one of the UK’s largest Talking Newspaper services

• Seven independent living bungalows

• Equipment to enhance daily living

Galloway’s is a registered charity and has to raise £1m this year to maintain its services.

It now needs £50,000 for a new minibus to transport its service users to the centre in Penwortham and to social outings.

The Post has launched a campaign - Gallowheels - in conjunction with Galloway’s to raise £50,000.